New Zealand have whitewashed India 3-0 on Sunday. It has been a collective performance from the side with different players stepping up in all three matches. If it was Rachin Ravindra’s sublime ton at Bengaluru, it was Mitchell Santner’s wily spin in Pune and Ajaz Patel’s consistent lines and lengths on a rank turner in Mumbai.
“Last week, it was Mitch, this week it was Ajaz,” said New Zealand skipper Tom Latham on Sunday after the game. “An all-round great team effort and certainly proud of the guys. We just want to keep it simple over here,” he added. In addition to these Will Young has been the backbone of the side through the series with the bat.
In the absence of Kane Williamson, the 31-year-old looked flawless both in technique and temperament against both spin and pace and ensured that there was an anchor at the other end all the time while the other batters continued to play attacking shots. In three matches he ended up scoring 244 runs at an average of 48.80.
“I just try to keep it really simple. At times, I needed to trust my defense and at times, I needed to be clear on where I wanted to score and do it for as long as I possibly could. If I know where I want to score and I can trust my defense, that makes the mind a lot clear,” Young said on his approach after receiving Player Of The Series in Mumbai.
In addition to these stand-out performers, there have been quite a few contributions that played a key part in historic results. “Guys chipped in at different times which has been the most important thing and really happy to be standing here in this position,” Latham said.
Tim Southee’s 65-run contribution in Bengaluru partnering up with Ravindra to pile on a further lead after India were bowled out for 46 was crucial. William O’Rourke’s second innings spell with the second new ball in the same game to pick three wickets when it seemed like India were piling on a massive score for New Zealand to chase in the fourth innings was another standout.
Tom Latham’s second innings 86 in Pune and Daryl Mitchell’s first innings 82 too have such supporting acts which have ended up being thorn in the flesh of the Indian team.
Latham would later laud his side for adapting to different surfaces across Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. “Not necessarily big scores, but we had contributions from everyone.”
Opposite captain Rohit Sharma too would acknowledge the Kiwi understated might. “It’s not like India lost the series. New Zealand won the series,” he told a journalist. “They played some good cricket… They are a very clinical unit, I’ve seen it over the years. They are very smart with their own game, keep plan simple, don’t complicate. They bowled, batted better than us. Fielding we were equal. We always knew NZ will be tough, they are consistent, and have played good cricket all over the world and been ICC finalist / semifinalists.”
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